Bearing for leaf springs



Ben. 28, 1926.

T. R. PLANK BEARING FOR LEAF SPRINGS Filed July 30.

gwumxhw Theodore RP/azz/t a, flMWI/ Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES 'rnno'nonn R. LANK, or LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

BEARING ron LEAF sr nmos. I

Application illed July 30,

My invention relates to bearings for leaf springs and the objects of my invention are: first, to provide a bearing to be inserted be-. tween theends of the leaves of leaf springs for overcoming the friction between the leaves, thus providing a very resilient leaf spring; second, to provide a bearing of this class in which steel balls are retained by a resilient, pliable and adherent member, thus providing a combination of ball bearing with a resilient, pliable and adherent retainer therefor; third, to provide a bearing of this class in which the retainer is provided with a central hole forming an air pocket causing it to maintain its position on the spring leaves as well as providing an air cushion in combination with the ball bearing supports for the spring leaves} fourth, to provide a bearing of this class which may be quickly and readily positioned between the separate leaves of the spring and which will maintain its position without securing means; fifth, to provide a novelly constructed bearin for leaf springs, andsixth, to provide a caring of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, efiicient in its action, durable, easy to place in position, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objectsin view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had .to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

I Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a fra anentary portion of a vehicle leaf sprin an showing my leaf bearings positioned therein ready for use; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through 22 of Fig. 1, andiFig. 3 is a top or plan view of the bearing alone showing a portion broken away and in section to facilitate the illustratlon.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The spring leaves 1, 2. 3, 4, and 5, ball retainers 6, and ball members 7 constitute the principal parts and portions of my spring structure with the hearings in position.

The spring leaf members 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 1925. Serial No. 47,021.

between the adjacent leaf members near the ends by spreading the members apart and inserted therein are the bearings which consist of the annular, resilient retaining member 6. which is preferably composed of rubber of approximately 1" to. 1 in diameter and provided with a central hole 6 which is preferably approximately 2," in diameter. This member 6 is preferably a little thicker than the diameter of the balls used as bearings, it being preferred to use a ball about in diameter, and the member 6 being approximately 1/64" thicker than the diamcter of the ball.

This member 6 is provided with a plurality of holes 6 therethrough slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the balls so that the balls are forced therein slightly spreading the material around the holes as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it being preferred to place these holes 6' in a row as shown. However, it is obvious that they may be in staggered relation or otherwise, as desired. Also it is obvious that the retainer member. 6 may be polygon shaped as well as annular if desired.

It will be noted that the retainer member Gbeingformed of rubber is inherently resilient, pliable, and adherent, and the hole 6 in the center makes it more pliable and also forms an air cushion with the leaves of the spring tendin to hold it in position between A the leaves oft e spring and providing great pliability and resiliency and supporting the balls 7 which form the support for the spring leaves and revolve in the member 6 with the relative movement of the adjacent spring leaves, thus providing "a resilient, pliable retainer for the ball bearings.

Although I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construetion, combination and arrangement, but'desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination, and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims. 1

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let'- ters Patent is! I I 1. In a bearing for spring leaves, a flat resilient ball retainer provided with a plurality of holes therein and balls positioned a in each of said holes.

provided with a plurality of holes therein andballs positioned in some of said holes.

5. In a ball retainer for leaf springs, a flat resilient, adherent, member provided with a central hole-and a plurality of relatively small holes therethrough surrounding said centralhole and a steel ball mounted in some of said relatively small holes.

6. In a device of the class described, a

spring composed of a plurality of leaves in-' terposed, one upon the other, in laminated form, a bearing interposed between the ends of adjacent leaves consisting of a flat rubber member provided with a central hole and with a row of relatively small holes therethrough surrounding said central hole and balls slightly smallerthan the diameter of said holes forced in said holes, and the whole forming a bearing for reducing the friction between the leaves of the vspring.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with the conventional leaf spring, of aplurality of bearings interposed between the separate leaves of the spring near the ends, each bearing consisting of a flat resilient, adherent, pliable member provided with a central hole and with a plu rality of relatively small holes and a plurality of balls, one positioned in each of said relatively small holes. I

8. In a bearing for spring leaves, a flat resilientretainer member provided with a hole therein, and a roller member, positioned in saidhole. 9. In a bearing for spring leaves, a flat resilient member interposed between two adjacent leaves of ,a spring and provided with a hole therein, and a roller member posi tioned in said hole and retained by said resilient member.

10. In a bearng for spring leaves, aflat adherent resilient retainer member provided with a hole therein, and a-roller member positioned in said hole.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los AngelesCalifornia this 22nd day of July, 1925.

THEODORE R. PLANK. 

